Pendennis team get on their bikes for charity

Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth has earned a global reputation for the superyachts it builds, restores and refits. Now some of the company’s 500-strong workforce are also focusing on a less glamorous form of transport – bikes.

Inspired by fellow employee Jason Renfree, the 10-person team are meeting up for regular group cycling sessions in preparation for a three-day, 300-kilometre charity cycle ride across Cornwall from 19-21 September.

Even more impressively most of them – including Pendennis Shipyard Chairman Mike Carr – are comparative newcomers to road cycling.

Jason took part in the Pedal4Patients challenge last year. He was recovering from cancer of the tonsil and wanted to fundraise for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity.

“The treatment and care I received saved my life,” he said. “I didn’t cycle but decided to have a go and though the training was hard, and I was very nervous on the first day, I managed to finish and that felt incredible. The charity team are amazingly supportive and encouraging and everyone had the best time.”

Jason’s marathon efforts raised more than £13,000 for Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity and at least nine of his colleagues have committed to entering as a team in this year’s Pedal4Patients ‘Tour de Kernow’. Mike Carr is one of them.

“Pendennis Shipyard owes its global success to the people who work here,” he said. “We support each other, and illness impacts us all in one way or another.

“Jason’s cancer diagnosis was devastating but he credits the ride with helping his physical and mental recovery and that helps motivate the rest of us. We’ve all got our personal reasons for signing up but taking on a challenge like this together makes it particularly special.

“I didn’t own a bike before saying I’d be part of the team, but I bought one last week and joined the crew on our first 8-mile practice session around Falmouth on Sunday. Thankfully I managed to stay on!”

The cycling tour begins at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro on 19 September and travels to Penzance via St Ives. Day 2 is from Penzance to St Austell via Falmouth and Day 3 is St Austell to Truro via Padstow. Accommodation and refreshments are provided en route.

“We have safety riders and technical back-up on hand, and you don’t have to have previous experience to take part, said Lynne Lees, the charity’s Senior Philanthropy Manager.

“It isn’t a race – just a wonderful way of seeing Cornwall, getting fit, having fun and making new friends, whilst raising money for a very worthwhile cause.”

To donate to the Pendennis Team, go to https://www.justgiving.com/page/pendennis-team-1707989023849

To find out more about Pedal4Patients and apply to take part as a group or individual, visit https://charity.royalcornwallhospitals.nhs.uk/2024/01/09/pedal-4-patients-tour-de-kernow/